A big part of growing up in the South is religion. Even if you’re not religious, you can’t escape its presence. The majority of your school goes to one of the big churches in the area. If you’re a Jew, you band together with your fellow Jews, and make all the Christian kids jealous by having a fabulous bat mitzvah.
If you don’t have a religious identity, you slip through the cracks. I was extremely religious in early high school. I wore a WWJD (what would Jesus do?) bracelet and a cross necklace every day. I had several t-shirts from church events that I wore to school routinely, many with bible verses on them. I went to youth group, church and bible study every week. I was probably fucking obnoxious. Now, looking back, I think about how I presented myself and I cringe. I would not be friends with the me from back then.
It’s not the religion that bothers me. I have since chosen to discard religion. It’s not something I feel I need in my life any more. After deciding to leave the church, I haven’t missed it or wanted to go back. I understand why some people need God in their lives, but it just doesn’t satisfy any of my needs right now. I have other issues with religion, but that’s not what this post is about.
After coming to Northwestern, I’ve realized the essential difference between the north and the south when it comes to religion. In the north, people might be religious, but it’s part of their personal lives, and until you get to know someone well, it’s not something they like to talk about. In the south, everyone is up front and in your face about their religion, because it’s part of their social identity.
Example, turn to that trusty sociological too, facebook.
Many of my Northwestern friends list their religion, Christian, Jewish, Jedi…pretty run of the mill.
Not so for my Georgia friends:
“in love with Jesus”
“I have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus”
“Jesus’ blood never fails me”
“Follower of the way”
“Empty me of me and fill me with you. You are everything.”
It goes on from there. One girl’s facebook status today is, “rejoicing in the divine romance she has with her savior”. Interests include: “spending time with my creator” and “worship as a lifestyle”. Of course all of them have the same favorite books, chiefly, The Bible, but also Redeeming Love, Wild at Heart, and other Christian approved literature.
It even extends to screen names, allgloryforHim, Iserv4him, godzlove and overjoyedsoul.
I have become desensitized to the overt religion of the south by living in Chicago for four years. If I end up moving back to Atlanta, it’s going to take some getting used to.
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